The 2026 NFL Draft begins tonight, and before it gets underway, it’s a good time to zoom out and look at how ACC programs have fared in producing NFL talent over the past decade.
Over the last 10 years, NC State ranks 7th in the ACC in total draft picks, with 27 players selected.
Here’s how the full conference stacks up:
ACC Draft Picks (Last 10 Years)
1) Clemson: 55
2) Miami: 45
3) Stanford: 34
4) Florida State: 33
5) Pittsburgh: 31
6) North Carolina: 29
7) NC State: 27
8) Virginia Tech: 26
9) California: 21
9) Boston College: 21
11) Louisville: 20
12) Wake Forest: 14
13) Syracuse: 13
14) Virginia: 11
14) SMU: 11
16) Georgia Tech: 10
17) Duke: 8
Here’s a look at the 27 Wolfpack players drafted over the last 10 years:
| Year |
Round |
Pick in Round |
Overall Pick |
Player |
NFL Team |
Position |
| 2016 |
3 |
15 |
78 |
Joe Thuney |
New England Patriots |
G |
| 2016 |
3 |
29 |
91 |
Jacoby Brissett |
New England Patriots |
QB |
| 2016 |
4 |
20 |
118 |
Juston Burris |
New York Jets |
DB |
| 2017 |
2 |
29 |
61 |
Josh Jones |
Green Bay Packers |
DB |
| 2017 |
7 |
27 |
245 |
Jack Tocho |
Minnesota Vikings |
DB |
| 2017 |
7 |
34 |
252 |
Matthew Dayes |
Cleveland Browns |
RB |
| 2018 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
Bradley Chubb |
Denver Broncos |
DE |
| 2018 |
3 |
5 |
69 |
B. J. Hill |
New York Giants |
DT |
| 2018 |
3 |
20 |
84 |
Justin Jones |
Los Angeles Chargers |
DT |
| 2018 |
4 |
4 |
104 |
Nyheim Hines |
Indianapolis Colts |
RB |
| 2018 |
4 |
28 |
128 |
Kentavius Street |
San Francisco 49ers |
DE |
| 2018 |
4 |
29 |
129 |
Will Richardson |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
T |
| 2018 |
5 |
28 |
165 |
Jaylen Samuels |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
FB |
| 2019 |
1 |
18 |
18 |
Garrett Bradbury |
Minnesota Vikings |
C |
| 2019 |
3 |
8 |
72 |
Germaine Pratt |
Cincinnati Bengals |
LB |
| 2019 |
4 |
2 |
104 |
Ryan Finley |
Cincinnati Bengals |
QB |
| 2019 |
6 |
34 |
206 |
Kelvin Harmon |
Washington Redskins |
WR |
| 2020 |
5 |
28 |
174 |
Larrell Murchison |
Tennessee Titans |
DT |
| 2020 |
7 |
15 |
229 |
James Smith-Williams |
Washington Redskins |
DE |
| 2021 |
3 |
8 |
72 |
Alim McNeill |
Detroit Lions |
DT |
| 2022 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
Ikem Ekwonu |
Carolina Panthers |
T |
| 2022 |
7 |
34 |
255 |
Trenton Gill |
Chicago Bears |
P |
| 2023 |
4 |
12 |
114 |
Chandler Zavala |
Carolina Panthers |
G |
| 2024 |
3 |
34 |
98 |
Payton Wilson |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
LB |
| 2024 |
6 |
14 |
190 |
Dylan McMahon |
Philadelphia Eagles |
G |
| 2024 |
6 |
42 |
218 |
Devin Leary |
Baltimore Ravens |
QB |
| 2025 |
2 |
22 |
54 |
Anthony Belton |
Green Bay Packers |
T |
As the 2026 draft gets underway, NC State will look to add to that total, and potentially climb higher in the ACC pecking order moving forward. Check out where ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks the Wolfpack’s 2026 NFL prospects.